, 1887-12-30
ATTEMPTED MURDER.
One MCPHERSON Discharges a Re-
voIver at Fred Hoffman,.
Stock Exchange Saloon, Sixteenth
Street, the Scene.
Hoffman, Pursues and Captures His
COWardly Assailant.

There was a little fracas at the Stock
Exchange saloon about II o'clock last
night which might have resulted much
more seriously than it did. Fred Hof-
mann, proprietor of the place, narrowly
escaped instant death at the hands of one
Mcpherson, who was armed with a %
caliber pocket pistol.
A few minutes prior to the time indi-
Gated above, Mcpherson, who is a disco
lutte and worthless character, entered the
place in an intoxicated condition. He
persisted in ~interrupting the conversation
Of several gentlemen present and at
tempted to force his company upon a party
engaged in a quiet game of cards.
Mr.. Hoffman,, who takes great pride
in the fact that his resort is one of the
most orderly in the city, gently remons-
trated with the fellow, requesting him to
refrain from disturbing customers of the
place and to cease making unnecessary
noise. Mcpherson resented the interior
ence with his pastime and insisted that
he should remain and conduct himself as
suited his own ideas on saloon etiquette.
Mr.. Hoffman, quite naturally demurred
to the imposition and finally elected the
intruder.
The Stock Exchange seemed to possess
a fascination for the incbriate, however,
and he soon returned. This time he
sought to ingratiate himself into the
good graces of the presiding genius, but
soon again proceeded to make himself OBJ
n%oxious, adopting the same line of action
which resulted i'll his eviction upon the
former occasion. Hoffman, attempted to
reason with the man and induce him to
remain quiet, but without avail, as it was
quite evident that Mcpherson was seek
ing trouble and would brew a disturbance
if i~nsolent words and maudlin actions
could precipitate a brawl. Seeing no
alternative the bartender again led the
selfstyled terror to the door and admon-
ished him not to return.
Mr.. Holman supposed that he was rid
of his ugly customer for the night and re-
sumed his duties. While the swinging
doors of the front entrance were still
vibrating he was called to a club room in
the rear and given an order for a round
of drinks.
Unconscious of impending danger or
the proximity of a merciless and cowardly
foe, Mr.. Hoffman, returned to the bar
and was leaning over, removing glasses
from the shelf beneath the bar, when he
heard a trigger fall, an explosion at the
door and a ball whiz directly over his head
and within a few inches of it.
CHANGING hastily around, the astonishcd
man observed that the leaden messenger
had imbedded itself in the refrigerator, a
few feet distant. After realizing his mar
row escape, and without a thought of his
p%erilous position, he proceeded to act with
4 view to effccting the capture of the
wOuld-be assassin. Hastily crossing the
room he entered a hall and soon emerged
to the street near the main entrance to the
saloon. The shooter had vanished. So
rapid was the disappearance that Mr..
Holman was sure he had either taken
refuge in a neighboring building OF fled
toward Eddy street. He surmised the
latter and his theory proved correct, for
on reaching rillman's corner he OBJ
served Mcpherson near Dyer's hotel,
running. He gave chase at once
and being feet footed overlook the
man in front of the Wyoming commits
sion house. taptor and prisoner
returned to the Stock Exchange. The
latter was searched and subsequently
turned over to Officer Thomasson, who
had been summoned in the meantime.
No weapons was found on his person, but
as it was certain that he did the shooting
a search for the revolver was instituted
at once. The hunting party followed the
route taken by Mcpherson in his flight
and thanks to the bright moonlight soon
discovered the pistol lying in the gutter
near Kellner's store.
1t was a pretty close call tor Hoffman,.
Had he been standing erect as was the
case an instant before the shot was
fired the hall would have nicrcnd HE